Bruno Gagged…Film distributors remove Michael Jackson reference from Bruno

See Bruno extended classifiction information from bbfc.co.uk Read more BBFC Cuts on MelonFarmers.co.uk

The distributors of Bruno have just cut a quip or two about Michael Jackson. LaToya Jackson makes an appearance in the film and this generates a couple of references to Michael. The BBFC write: Re-edited version, Following the death of pop star Michael Jackson, the company chose to remove a sequence involving the star’s sister, LaToya, which includes references to her late brother. Otherwise, the work remains identical to the previously classified ‘18′ version. The BBFC have also kindly explained their decision to award an 18 certificate: BRUNO is a satirical comedy in which Sacha Baron Cohen plays gay Austrian fashion show presenter Bruno, who falls into disgrace and travels to the States in an attempt to achieve fame. This film was classified ‘18′ in accordance with BBFC Guidelines, for strong sex and strong sex references. At ‘15′, the Guidelines state that ’sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour’. Both the scenes of strong sex and the sex references were considered by the Board to go beyond the ‘15′ level, but acceptable at the adult ‘18′ category. There are three strong sex scenes in the film. The first one features a montage of exaggerated sexual activity, including Bruno being anally penetrated by a dildo on a long rod attached to an exercise bike, which his boyfriend is pedalling. Other details include implied anal penetration with a fire extinguisher hose, as well as with a champagne bottle, and sight of a vacuum pump being used on Bruno’s scrotum. The second shows Bruno comically miming fellatio and anilingus as he pretends to have oral sex with a deceased person with whom he is in contact through a medium, while the third scene features sex between couples at a swingers’ party, with sexual detail obscured. The film also contains some uses of strong language.